◥◥ RAINE SQUARE

Client: Saracen Properties

Size of Development: 65,000 m2 NLA commercial floor area

Cost of Development: $100 million

Location: Perth CBD

Raine Square is an iconic site in the heart of the Perth CBD, forming one of the key landmarks to the northern gateway of the CBD. Since its last upgrade in the 1980s, it had been in desperate need of rejuvenation. Featuring a number of heritage-listed buildings and fronting four streets, its redevelopment would transform it into an exciting urban space and provide a range of community benefits.

Acting as the lead consultant for the redevelopment of Raine Square, Rowe Group was responsible for coordinating all of the statutory approvals for this project. Due to the heritage-listed buildings located at the site, securing approvals required a complex strategy coordinating planning and heritage.

Given the complexities of the site, its heritage value and the parallel approvals processes of planning and heritage, Rowe Group led an expert consultant team to develop a design response that addressed the importance of the site, its iconic location and the client’s development objectives.

The approvals process required significant engagement and collaboration with the City of Perth and the Heritage Council to deliver a built outcome that responded to all stakeholder objectives.

The preservation and restoration of the heritage buildings and the emphasis on other community benefits such as a public plaza played a key role in the City of Perth’s decision to approve the redevelopment and grant a significant plot ratio bonus.

The new Raine Square, completed in 2012, features a multi-level office tower, retail arcade, basement car park, a public plaza fronting Murray Street, pedestrian links including a subterranean tunnel to Perth underground station, public art and restoration of heritage-listed buildings.